My husband and I used to live in Savannah. In fact, our first son is named after one of the city’s historical squares. Each time we drop in to visit we hop out at “Troup Square” to take pictures…then off to our friend’s house we go.
Savannah seemed to belong to me and Donald. It reminds us so much of our romantic, dating days that we didn’t consider it a “kid destination”. Well, on this most recent track out from school I took my boys, sans daddy, Savannah-ing. To my surprise and delight, my Troupe was instantly caught up in this city’s charm.
“Wow! I want to drive my hot wheels here!” he shouted the moment I pulled the car down onto River Street’s famous cobblestones.
“Wow! Look a ferry! Can we ride the ferry?” “Wait! A trolley car! Can we ride the trolley?” he excitedly sang.
Troupe dragged his fingers along the cobblestones, played hopscotch across the trolley tracks and swung from every wrought iron post we passed.
“What texture this place has for a 5 year old!” I thought. What could seem seedy, touristy, or dirty took on new charm.

We ate at a touristy shrimp spot- One I had never eaten at in the years I lived there- and the smile never left my kid’s face.
He ate seafood bisque and boiled shrimp, and drank shirley temples like a champ. We know how to party.
Since I’ve been told my talent is in giving kid-travel advice, here’s a *note to self* addition to our otherwise rich afternoon.
*DO NOT order ‘peel and eat’ shrimp while traveling as a single-parent with a 1 year old. The peeling of shrimp leaves no hand free to steady unruly climbers, crayon-chunkers, high-pitched squawkers, or muffin-tossers (all of which I have in my one year old, Mac). That’s just a little more multi-tasking than I can handle.
Troupe miraculously fell in love with shopping. Yes, I said “shopping”. He was like a magnet to the old-world style markets on River Street.
His allowance burned in his pocket for samurai swords, dangly frog chimes and wooden safari animals. Thankfully, we made it- wallet intact- to one of Savannah’s famous sweet spots.
There’s nothing like a syrupy sweet bite of praline while strolling in the warm Georgia sun. Troupe agreed.

Savannah is a straight shot down I-95. It is a 5 hour drive from the Triangle. There are plenty of kid-friendly attractions in the “Hostess City Of The South”.
You can find a list of Savannah events here.Disney’s Family Travel Website also has great suggestions for traveling to Savannah with kids.